The game got stretched towards the end with the visitors probably having the better of the chances but it finished all square with both teams sharing the spoils in an entertaining match.

After last week’s convincing victory in Perth, Stuart McCall stuck with the exact same squad that dispatched St Johnstone 3-0 on their home turf. Omar Daley’s goal and performance kept him in the starting eleven, and would be hoping to be as much of a threat and provider as last week.

Jamie Murphy and former Buddie Michael Higdon were hoping to be the benefactors of his wing play, with the former looking to add to his brace last week, and the latter aiming to get on over on his former employers.

Danny Lennon made just one change to his starting line up that came back from two goals down against Aberdeen to salvage a draw last time out. Nigel Hasselbaink came in for former Scotland international Gary Teale, to give the Paisley side a speedy option up front.

While losing one game away from home all season, ‘Well were hoping the Christmas period would gift them a home performance to fill the fans with festive cheer.

Both sides set out to attack and create from the off. Inside the opening two minutes, Daley managed to sneak in behind Tesselaar, only to have his pass cleared out for a corner, which Hateley over hit.

St Mirren then caused panic in the home box, when Graham Carey cut in from the right and fired a shot at Randolph, which the big keeper spilled before the ball was hacked to safety. Motherwell were using their wide men to good effect in the early stages, with Hammell, Daley and Hateley directing balls in to the Buddies box, but with no takers.

The game was given a bit of an edge when Jennings was booked for a foul on Carey in the middle of the park. A bit of a melee ensued, with Jim Goodwin also carded for their involvement. ‘Well were then awarded a free-kick; it was Tom Hateley range, but the right back couldn’t emulate his last minute winner from St Mirren Park.

Instead, the visitors broke up the park and won a corner, but McGowan’s volley from the cross was blasted well over. The former Celtic youngster earned the same result when he thundered a free kick form 35 yards in to the Cooper stand a few moments later.

The game became littered with niggly fouls and Motherwell were fortunate not to concede a penalty midway through the half. Hutchinson looked to bring down Tesselaar as he romped in to the box for what looked a stone wall spot kick, Referee Calum Murray pointed the spot but was reversed the call in favour of an offside call with the help of his linesman.

Michael Higdon then flashed a header wide from the penalty spot, diving to connect with Jamie Murphy’s cross. Murphy then went on a mazy runs, picking the ball up midway in the Saints half and galloping past man after man in to the box. Instead of shooting, he squared to Higdon, whose shot was blocked my McAusland, before Daley blazed an effort in to the stand from an angle.

St Mirren were also searching for the opener, and only some composed defending from Craigan prevented Hasselbaink from pulling the trigger after winning a tussle with Hammell in the box. Michael Higdon was desperate to get a goal against his old club and only a Goodwin clearance stopped his bullet header crossing the line from Hateley’s corner. Omar Daley was then booked for delaying a St Mirren free kick by kicking the ball away. Kenny McLean then let fly with a thunderbolt from 35 yards which shook Darren Randolph’s upright before being cleared.

St Mirren seemed happy to allow Motherwell to run at them, and Nicky Law almost made them pay just before half time. In almost a repeat of Murphy’s run from earlier, he strode from halfway in to the opposing box, but his final ball to Michael Higdon fell too short. It was an entertaining first half, with chances for both sides and some spicy challenges, but severely lacked a goal.

It took all of three minutes in the second period for that goal to materialize, and did so for the home side. Murphy latched on to a long ball up the left flank and fed Nicky Law, whose composed and weighted cross found the head of Michael Higdon, who nodded the ball down in Samson’s bottom left corner. It was Higdon’s seventh SPL goal of the season and gave ‘Well the lead versus his previous club.

Lasley was next to have a crack at the St Mirren goal, firing just over from 30 yards following a cleared corner. It was a spectacular attempt which Jim Goodwin not only tried to copy, but bested, a few moments later. The St Mirren captain was fed the ball 25 yards from goal, looked up and magnificently thundered a drive in to the top right hand corner.

1-1 with an hour played and the visitors could have snatched the lead with their next attack. A great ball over the top found McGowan in acres of space before he rounded Darren Randolph, only to fire well over from a tight angle. It was a let off for Motherwell, who until that point looked good for their lead.

The equalizer found St Mirren in the ascendancy, with their passing and possession more prevalent than their hosts. In hope of regaining a grip of the game, Stuart McCall made a double substitution with Daley and Lasley replaced by Chris Humphrey and Stephen Hughes.

Jamie Murphy picked up his sides fourth booking of the match for a tug on Carey. The introduction of Humphrey sparked a flurry of action in front of the St Mirren goal. Firstly, the Jamaican acres of space to run in to, before cutting in to the box and firing just wide via a deflection. He then won two corners for the home side, which were both cleared to safety. Mooy then had a clear run at goal down the left, but his shot was comfortable for Randolph to smother.

With ten minutes remaining, Steven Thompson almost poked home at the back post for St Mirren, but his opportunistic effort fell well wide. The Republic of Ireland goalie then had to make two sharp stops from Thompson and Mooy, to keep the game level. Kenny McLean then had another fantastical effort, this time acrobatically volleying goalward from the edge of the box. Randolph again denied St Mireen the lead.

Down the other end, a Murphy header from Hateley’s cross would have burst the net had it not been for the reactions of Craig Samson. Kenny McLean completed a hat trick of spectacular chances without a goal when he broke free of the Well midfield and fired over form 18 yards. He was booked for a cynical foul on Humphrey before referee Calum Murray blew for full time.

2mins – Daley sneaks in behind and wins a corner off Goodwin, Hateley’s delivery too long and Jennings fouls Hasselbaink.

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It was a terrific game of football. There were no lulls, there were quick free-kicks, quick throw-ins.

“Both sets of players deserve an awful amount of credit, not only for making it a competitive game, it was a hard one to referee, but end to end.

“Both teams in the last 10 minutes were looking to win the game. I thought it would be cruel on any side to have lost.

“We scored a really good goal, great move and their goal was a terrific goal. It would have been nice once we got one to kick on and at times we played some really good stuff, but likewise so did they.

“It was a really good advert for Scottish football. I enjoyed it, if you can as a manager.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon:

“The players deserve great credit – not only did both teams try to win it but the manner they played

“The only thing that was missing was more goals. I thought the commitment, endeavour and intensity, it was like watching a game of tennis at times. Both goalkeepers had influential saves throughout the game.

“We’re always quick to put our own game down but that was a thoroughly entertaining game and something we can be proud of in Scotland. The pitch was a wee bit icy but it shows you if you have the bravery and philosophy to set your team out like that, and that’s credit to Stuart as well, you can play football that way.”

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Archive

St Mirren Programme preview

Friday 16 December 2011

‘Well host St Mirren tomorrow and if you are coming to the match, don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme.

With a new editorial team and a new producer in Curtis Sport, the 64-page magazine has been a hit with fans in our ten home games and this is another edition not to miss.

What’s inside? Well, manager Stuart McCall talks about the success of the season so far and the efforts made to try and replicate some of the excellent form at Fir Park.

Skipper Stephen Craigan talks about the fascinating battle between two clubs in the SPL who are keen to play good football and there is a superb interview with wing wizard Chris Humphrey. Andy Ross caught up with the Jamaican, discussing his most enjoyable season yet, competition for places and pleasing memories against today’s opponents.

There is a special 12-page section dedicated to our visitors, St Mirern. Not only is there a rundown of the current squad and a review of the season so far, we get the views of Buddie Chris Marzella and Peter Elder remembers a 3-1 win against the Saints from last season.

And that’s not all. As well as match reports from both the (abandoned) Hibs and St Johnstone matches, regular features such as The Travelling Fan with Yir Elder, On This Day with Graham Barnstaple and Gavin McCafferty in From the Press Box.

Wait, there’s more! Gordon Young talks about the U19s trip to Turkey with the Leonardo Da Vinci programme. We have the latest from The Ticket Office and the Commercial Department and the latest stats, facts and figures for the 2011/2012 campaign.

The programme is available for £3 and is currently on sale from the Club Shop and Jack Daniels as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

Archive

TV: Ask Michael Higdon

Friday 16 December 2011

In the second of our ‘Player Q&A’s’, Michael Higdon talks Paul Bearer, Mel B from Bo Selecta and opting for Fir Park over the Bernabeu. #askhiggy

Win match tickets from Clydesdale Bank

Thursday 15 December 2011

Christmas is a time for giving, and this week SPL sponsor Clydesdale Bank is getting into the spirit of things with match tickets to give away for no less than 18 Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches scheduled over the festive period.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, all you need to do is log on to their football website www.cbfootball.co.uk, click the competition tab and enter for the game(s) you’d like to go to.

Closing date is Monday 19th December at 12noon. Good luck!

Terms and conditions apply

Archive

Vote for your Goal of the Month

Thursday 15 December 2011

It’s time for you to cast your vote for your favourite Clydesdale Bank Premier League Goal of the Month.

Sky Sports have selected their top ten goals from November, which are shown on their website for you to view and select your favourite.

If your choice matches the goal selected by Sky Sports pundit Neil McCann you could win a PS3 bundle.

Entry is simple, visit the Sky Sports website today and click on the Goal of the Month tab or alternatively follow the link below to see the goals and have your say. Closing date is Tuesday 20th December.

Pick November’s Player of the Month

It is time for you to decide who you think deserves to win the Cash Converters Player of the Month for November.

Every month this season, sponsors Cash Converters will give you the opportunity to present the Motherwell Player of the Month with a trophy.

All you need to do is vote for which ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for November and you could be chosen at random from all entries received, to congratulate our star man in person at Fir Park!

After Nicky Law received the Player of the Month award for August, with Keith Lasley picking up the gong for both September and October.